All-Out Drone War in Ukraine Points to Future

But the degree to which they are being used by both sides in Ukraine -- and the benefits they bring, as well as the threats they pose -- highlights the importance for militaries to be ready to employ and to counter drones in future conflicts. "The size and the scale of drone use in Ukraine supersedes all the previous conflicts," said Samuel Bendett, a researcher in uncrewed military systems who is an analyst with the CNA Russia Studies Program.

Bendett stressed the "absolutely unprecedented use of commercial-type drones" for both surveillance and combat in Ukraine, and said the war has shown that "small... tactical drones are absolutely essential -- at every unit, every platoon level, every company level." "Because these are basically expendable with a very short shelf life, they have to be provided to the forces in very large quantities," he said.

Read the full story and more from AFP.